Johns Hopkins Medical School: How to Get In

Johns Hopkins Medical School Mission Statement

"The mission of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine is to prepare physicians to practice compassionate clinical medicine of the highest standard and to identify and solve fundamental questions in the mechanisms, prevention and treatment of disease, in health care delivery and in the basic sciences."

Johns Hopkins Medical School Admissions Statistics and Eligibility

Overall acceptance rate: 6.3%

In-state success rate: 2.18%

Out-of-state success rate: 1.85%

Estimated number of new entrants: 120

Number of acceptance offers granted to applicants on the waitlist: 25

Overall GPA: 3.96

Science GPA: 3.96

MCAT: 521

• Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems: 130
• Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills: 129
• Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems: 131
• Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior: 131

The Johns Hopkins Medical School accepts in- and out-of-state applicants, Canadian applicants, International applicants, and DACA status applicants. They do not accept transfer students.

Selection Factors at Johns Hopkins Medical School

Like most medical schools, Johns Hopkins selects candidates for first-round interviews based on the strength of AMCAS application materials, and students who exemplify the following characteristics:

1. Academic Excellence
2. Service, Compassion, and Humanism
3. Ability to work in a team
4. Leadership
5. Diversity

Current student at Johns Hopkins Medical School, Daniela Barata Herrera, offers invaluable and actionable insights to help other students demonstrate their suitability for the program to the discerning admissions committee.

“On the practical side, I had research in clinic and laboratory settings, great letters of recommendation, and experience working in a research fellowship at NIH. Those factors boosted my application but it was my personal statement that really helped me stand out. I told the story of my experience as a first-generation immigrant and how my upbringing and professional experience both led me to have a genuine passion for medicine and helping people. - Daniela Barata Herrera, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

GPA and MCAT Scores for Johns Hopkins Medical School

A candidate’s GPA and MCAT score are massively influential in securing an interview with Johns Hopkins Medical School. Average matriculant GPA was a sizable 3.96, and median MCAT score was 521, with a range of 517 to 525. 

If you are concerned that your grades will not be competitive, there are a few things you can do to improve your GPA.

• Retake courses, especially prerequisites, to get a higher grade.
• Enroll in and complete courses you know you will do well in.
• Use campus resources like office hours and tutoring services to improve grades in courses you are struggling with.

Johns Hopkins Medical School does allow MCAT retakes, but students should note that their application is not considered complete until the official test scores are received. If you are taking the MCAT again, maximize your efforts by taking an MCAT diagnostic test, using the right prep materials, setting up an MCAT study schedule, and learning how to study for the MCAT to get a high score.

Pre-requisites and Recommended Courses for Johns Hopkins Medical School

Johns Hopkins Medical School pioneered the use of medical school prerequisites for their MD program, and maintains a continued commitment to high standards for applicants’ pre-medical work. Applicants must have earned a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts from an accredited institution and have successfully completed the following prerequisites: 

Johns Hopkins Medical School will accept prerequisite courses that were taken online from an accredited school or university.

In addition to prerequisite courses, candidates are also required to show competency in computer literacy, communication skills, and teamwork skills. In addition to communication skills in English, it is strongly recommended that students also have basic conversational skills in a non-English language. These proficiencies may be demonstrated through relevant coursework on a student’s transcript, but it is even more impactful to highlight these skills in one’s AMCAS personal statement or secondary application essays.

Check out additional tips that will help you get into Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine:

Extracurriculars for Johns Hopkins Medical School

Here is a breakdown of the extracurricular activities of the most recent class of first-year students. It is interesting to note that 100% of students admitted had research experience, further demonstrating the importance of research to the admissions committee at Johns Hopkins Medical School.

Johns Hopkins Medical School Personal Statement

There are three critical aspects that cannot be overlooked when writing your Johns Hopkins Medical School personal statement. These are:

1. Honesty,
2. Narrative quality, and
3. Specific examples demonstrating how you embody the personal characteristics valued by the school.

Your personal statement for Johns Hopkins Medical School should revolve around your experiences that reflect the most integral values and expectations of this institution. Highlight objective examples that demonstrate:

• Strong commitment to intense coursework and research.
• Your service, compassion, and humanism through stories of community service or volunteer work that show your passion to help and make the world a different place.
• How you contributed in a cooperative environment. Elaborate on leadership experiences, and be descriptive about roles that required you to motivate others, collaborate, and guide initiatives.
• How your unique perspective will help develop a more inclusive community at Johns Hopkins.

Tell a story that begins with a compelling hook, weave in examples of your qualities and accomplishments rather than just listing them, and make the reader feel immersed in your narrative. End your statement in a way that motivates the reader to invite you for an interview, eager to learn more about you. That’s what admissions consultant Daniela Barata Herrera did, and it paid off!

“I connected my experiences in research, leadership, empathy, advocacy, and clinical contexts to full illustrate the essential qualities of a physician. Most importantly, it was MY story. Compared to other pre-med students, I did not have any groundbreaking or unique experiences, but my “why medicine” was abundantly clear.” - Daniela M. Barata Herrera, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

Johns Hopkins Medical School Secondary Essays

When selected to submit the Secondary Application, candidates are required to complete specific Johns Hopkins Medical School secondary essay prompts as part of the application. Current Johns Hopkins student and admissions consultant, Daniela M. Barata Herrera cautions candidates to prepare in advance for the secondary essay. Here’s why:

”The secondary prompts are quite different and creative compared to other schools, which meant I had to write all the essays from scratch, rather than repurpose essays from other applications. This was time-consuming and challenging. To overcome this, I made sure to start drafting the essays early, before I received a secondary invitation.” - Daniela M. Barata Herrera, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

When working on your secondary essays, review the prompts to identify key themes; this gives you important insight into what the admissions committee is looking for. Here are themes and tips specific to the secondary essay prompts for Johns Hopkins Medical School:   

Consider working with an admissions consultant that specializes in secondary application essay reviews to ensure that yours really stands out!

Letters of Recommendation

The Johns Hopkins Medical School does things a little differently when it comes to letters of recommendation. They accept the “Committee Letter,” which is a written by a group or committee of faculty members, and they prefer it.

There are a few things you can do to help referees, both a committee and individuals, to draft an exemplary letter of recommendation:

The Committee Letter can be substituted for three individual letters—two in sciences and one in non-science—but we recommend doing everything you can to procure the former. 

Check out these medical school personal statement examples!

Medical School Interview at Johns Hopkins

Medical school interviews at Johns Hopkins begin in late August and continue until February on Thursday and Fridays. Each applicant attends two interviews, one with a faculty member and the other with a senior medical student. Johns Hopkins Medical School uses the traditional medical school interview format. Interviews are typically in-person, but out-of-country applicants can request a video interview.

Whether you are answering general questions or questions specific to Johns Hopkins interviews, ensure your answers clearly illustrate your alignment with the school’s mission, values, and qualities they are looking for in students.

Be prepared to ask a few questions, when given the opportunity. Thoughtful inquiries demonstrate your genuine interest in the program. Here are a few questions to consider asking:

• What excites you the most about the Johns Hopkins Medical School program?
• What are some recent innovations or changes in the curriculum or facilities that reflect the school's commitment to advancing medical education?
• What resources and supports are available to help students?

Acceptance and Waitlist Information for Johns Hopkins Medical School 

Acceptance notices for Johns Hopkins Medical School start going out in December and the last ones are sent by mid-June. If you receive an offer, you have three weeks to respond.

Deferred entrance requests are considered individually, and no deposit is needed to hold your spot.

The number of waitlist positions changes each year, but typically 25 waitlisted applicants are accepted. If you're placed on the waitlist, you need to return a form by late April to stay on it. The admissions committee will contact waitlisted candidates from May to July.

Johns Hopkins Medical School accepts Letters of Interest, similar to a Letter of Intent, from applicants who are put on the waitlist. This letter should confirm your continued interest in attending the school.

The school will also accept a Notice of Significant Updates, like new test scores, publications, or awards that were received since the application was submitted.

Check out our blog post on how to get off a medical school waitlist for even more proven strategies for going from awaiting to admitted!

Application Timeline for Johns Hopkins Medical School

The Johns Hopkins Medical School utilizes AMCAS for its application process, following a similar timeline to most medical schools:

Johns Hopkins Medical School Tuition Costs and Debt

Johns Hopkins Medical School offers the following breakdown of tuition costs and expenses for the first year. The only significant change in successive years is the lack of matriculation fees after the first year, the elimination of imaging fees following the second year, and the addition of USMLE fees as indirect costs in years 2 and 3. 

• Tuition: $64,778
• Total Cost of Attendance: $102,068
• Average Graduating Debt: $104,745

Funding Opportunities for Johns Hopkins Medical School

Approximately 85% of students in the Johns Hopkins Medical School who apply for funding are approved. Aid packages usually include medical school scholarships and loans, and are calculated based on a combination of information provided by the student’s FAFSA and CSS Profile applications.

Given the number and affluence of many of Johns Hopkins’ alumni and donors, more than 250 opportunities for scholarship aid are available to medical students each year. Overall, the school boasts over $331 million in federal research grants and contracts, making the possibility of additional funding through research and other scholarly projects quite likely.

Residency Match Rate

According to the National Resident Matching Program, the most recent residency match rate for Johns Hopkins Medical School students was 98%.

Available Programs at Johns Hopkins Medical School

Why apply to Johns Hopkins Medical School? One student shares:

“For me, it was a priority to feel happy and supported in medical school, and I had friends who were already medical students at Hopkins that could attest to the positive community and student life. I feared it would be too competitive, but the pass/fail curriculum eliminated that atmosphere. The abundance of research opportunities reassured me that I would be able to find mentors in my chose niche. While I was a bit intimidated at the thought of applying, I am glad that I did!" - Daniela M. Barata Herrera, current student at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

Academic Curriculum at Johns Hopkins Medical School

The MD program’s Genes to Society curriculum is unique in the world of medical education. As former Assistant Dean Paul White noted, it’s a significant remodeling of the prior MD curriculum, in large part to “better address the social determinants of disease.” This goal is achieved through the 15-month Genes to Society course, longitudinal ambulatory clerkship, and multi-day concentrated TIME courses.

The rest of the MD curriculum follows a more standard progression model, moving from coursework early on into core clerkships, scholarly concentrations, and finally advanced clerkships in the fourth year. 

Johns Hopkins Medical School Campus Life

Located in east Baltimore, the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine is just a 20-minute drive from the undergraduate campus and a short stroll from the Inner Harbor. The medical campus houses the Schools of Public Health and Nursing, along with the renowned Johns Hopkins Hospital. Spanning 44 acres, the campus is easily accessible by subway and a free Johns Hopkins shuttle for students, faculty, and staff.

Some refer to Baltimore as “Charm City”. The city is rich in history and culture, with historic neighborhoods and iconic landmarks such as Fort McHenry. Baltimore's diverse neighborhoods each have their own distinct character, from the cobblestone streets of Fells Point to the artistic vibe of Hampden. The Inner Harbor, with attractions like the National Aquarium and Maryland Science Center, adds to the city's allure. Baltimore's vibrant arts scene, featuring theaters, museums, and music venues, along with the friendly and welcoming nature of its residents, truly makes it a charming and endearing place to live.

Housing

The Housing Office at Johns Hopkins assists students with finding off-campus accommodations in the Baltimore area.

Many students choose to live at The Essential, a privately owned and managed residence that is contractually affiliated with Johns Hopkins Medical School. This building is adjacent to the East Baltimore Campus and only a few blocks from the Johns Hopkins Medical Campus. Amenities include furnished suites, Wi-Fi, and a fully-equipped onsite fitness center.

Student Life

Johns Hopkins Medical School offers a variety of support and activities to enhance the student experience. You can hang with peers who share your interest in gardening, aerospace medicine, community service, music, yoga, and more through the following:

• Diversity Programs
• Special Interest Groups
• Support Systems for Gender and Sexual Minority Students
• Wellness Programs and Resources

Johns Hopkins Medical School Highlights

Teaching Hospitals

• Johns Hopkins Hospital
• Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center

Research Fields

Johns Hopkins Medical School has over 35 research specialties in the following areas:

• General research
• Cancer research
• Genetics research
• Genome biology

Fun Facts about Johns Hopkins Medical School

• Johns Hopkins Medical School was the first research university in the United States.
• Researchers at Johns Hopkins helped develop the first effective treatment for sickle cell anemia.
• The school was the first in America to use the seminar method of instruction.
• Students at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine are grouped into four colleges, each named after renowned Hopkins faculty members who made significant contributions to medical history: Florence Sabin, Vivien Thomas, Daniel Nathans, and Helen Taussig.

Contact Information

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Admissions Page

Johns Hopkins Admissions Office:

410-614-3385

[email protected]

FAQs

To your success,

Your friends at BeMo

BeMo Academic Consulting

Disclaimer: BeMo does not endorse or affiliate with any universities, colleges, or official test administrators. The content has been developed based on the most recent publicly available data provided from the official university website. However, you should always check the statistics/requirements with the official school website for the most up to date information. You are responsible for your own results.

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